Lazio have seen their opening bid to sign Piotr Zielinski rejected by Napoli, according to Calciomercato.
The Biancocelesti have identified the Polish midfielder as a primary target to replace Sergej Milinkovic Savic, and they are pushing to capture his signature.
Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is determined to reunite with Zielinski in Rome, having worked with the 29-year-old midfielder at Empoli.
Zielinski has one year left on his current deal with Napoli, and there are currently no talks of an extended contract on the horizon following the player’s reluctance to take a pay cut.
Lazio are looking to use the player’s contract situation as a bargaining chip to secure his services on a cut-price deal.
However, Napoli are holding out for at least €30 million for the former Udinese man, and the reigning Serie A champions have refused to budge on their asking price.
Lazio’s opening proposal was worth €18m, but both clubs remain locked in negotiations over a transfer fee that suits all parties.
It remains to be seen if Lazio will match Napoli’s demands, but the Partenopei are open to selling Zielinski as he is among the highest earners at the club.
Milinkovic-Savic’s departure was a huge blow to Lazio, but Zielinski’s potential arrival could help Sarri’s side deal with the Serbian’s absence.
Although Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen are widely regarded as the faces of Napoli’s remarkable Scudetto triumph, Zielinski also played a pivotal role in their success.
The Poland international racked up seven goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions and is versatile enough to feature as a central midfielder or further up the pitch.
Zielinski has been an ever-present figure in the Napoli midfield since arriving from Udinese in the summer of 2016, making 329 appearances for the Gli Azzurri and contributing 47 goals and 44 assists.
However, his time at the Diego Maradona Stadium could end this summer. Lazio are currently in pole position to land his signature, but the player is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.
